Owning a car in Illinois means owners have responsibilities to maintain their vehicles. Maintaining your vehicles keeps you and other drivers safe and healthy. We take a look at vehicle requirements and how they can keep you and others safe and healthy on the road.
Why Vehicle Inspections in Illinois?
Vehicle inspections in Illinois are focused on passing emissions tests to control and stop air pollution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), motor vehicle emissions contribute to human and animal cancer-causing toxins in the air. Air toxins can cause brain, heart, lung, reproductive, immune system damage, and other injuries. Vehicle emissions inspections help identify and get rid of polluting vehicles.
How to Get an Illinois Vehicle Emissions Inspection
When you register your vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles, you will receive an emissions test notification if you live in an area where this is required.
Who Has to Get Their Illinois Vehicles Inspected?
Residents in specific counties are required to get vehicles inspected. The inspection is focused on controlling smog levels around major cities and counties. The counties in Illinois that require vehicle inspection are Cook, Dupage, Kane, and Kendall. Lake, Madison, McHenry, Monroe, St. Clair, and Will are also required counties. A vehicle emissions test is necessary if you’re transferring vehicle ownership. Dealerships should provide valid emission checks. Buying from a private seller means you have twenty days to register your vehicle and receive a test notice in the mail.
How Often Are Illinois Vehicle Inspections?
Illinois vehicle inspections are valid for two years. For new vehicles, drivers do not have inspections for the first four years after the vehicle’s manufacture. Electric vehicles do not require inspection, and other exceptions are diesel-powered vehicles, motorcycles, and electric bicycles. Cars manufactured in or before 1967 or certified antique vehicles are not subject to vehicle inspection.
What Happens If You Don’t Test
If you don’t get your vehicle tested, you may be fined over $300. A registration sticker that has expired by less than two months is a fine of at least $50. A registration sticker expired by more than two months is a fine of at least $300. The emission test costs $20. More importantly, your untested vehicle can cause you to suffer health problems and result in a Chicago car crash that seriously injures you and others.
What Happens If You Fail an Illinois Emission Inspection?
If your vehicle fails the Illinois smog check, you need to repair your vehicle to meet emissions standards and have your vehicle tested again. A great resource is the Illinois Air Team’s website which will help you find repair locations and wait times for inspection stations.
You may not know who to turn to when you have questions about Illinois emissions testing. At Thomas Law Office we are here to inform and help. Contact us today.
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